Saving Children on India's Dangerous Roads

Greetings! I hope this update reaches you and your loved ones in good health. Thank you for supporting us in creating a safe school zone in Bangalore.

Due to the COVID-19 lockdown in Bangalore, Karnataka, the project had to be on halt till 23rd June 2021, post which we were able to resume work.

After the restrictions were eased, the Topographical survey was conducted in mid-July. Based on extensive on-ground research of the site, a network of roads were identified as intervention catchment which accounts for a total length of approximately 1.10 km. The selected road segment has been divided into 5 major types based on their usage and characteristics which will help in implementing the right intervention to the requisite areas.

The following interventions have been proposed for the mentioned stretch,

1. Neighbourhood level improvement through segregating parking zone and shared space for safe walking and slow driving
2. Upgradation of intersections by adding plazas and safe crossings
3. Traffic management during school hours, deviating traffic and reclamation of plaza
4. Reclaiming plaza and drop off bay in front of school, active during school hours for safe access

As of 23rd August, schools in Bangalore have partially reopened. We are hoping to conduct traffic survey, pedestrian volume survey and community mapping for critical analysis by transport experts and incorporate the solutions on the proposed designs interventions before implementation.

While the primary focus of the tactical interventions will be to promote safety for children and create distinct demarcation for the various user groups, they will also aim to educate students and all other road users and promote passive learning of road safety, and change behaviour through design.

The above project is successfully taking off with your endless support and gifts. A huge thank you to all our supporters from me and my team!

Greetings from SaveLIFE Foundation! I hope you and your loved ones are keeping safe in these tough times.

Before the COVID 2nd wave hit India, we were able to begin the preliminary phase of the project to create safe school zones.

We selected 3 schools in the city of Bangalore, Karnataka namely Peniel School, Whitefield Global School and St. Joseph’s Convent School and conducted a preliminary secondary desk analysis of these schools. The on-ground reconnaissance survey was also conducted by an expert agency commissioned by SLF for identifying the routes children prefer to walk to school. The reconnaissance survey and secondary analysis helped in selecting Peniel School as a model school for Safe School Zone Project where the tactical urbanism (TU) intervention can reduce the risk and improve the safety to access school.

As part of next steps, we will conduct a detailed survey and prepare concept redesigning for the TU trials. The idea is to collect raw data and get them critically analysed by the experts so as to provide solutions with the help of the desired interventions.

A huge shout-out to all of you for supporting us endlessly and making this project come live. Thank you all for your gifts and support!